And the story is told
that the first believers were simple Shepherds,
who were taking turns watching their flocks one dark starry night.
When lo and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
surrounded by radiant swirling billows of light.
Stirred from their sleepy watch, the Shepherds were terrified,
but this beautiful angelic being, floating in mid-air,
began to speak to them in words something like this:
"Do not be afraid.
Listen, I have something wonderful to tell you.
After tonight, you and everyone else will never be the same.
You are going to be so ecstatic . . . just filled with wonder.
I can't wait to see your faces!
You're going to want to share this joy with everyone.
I know, it sounds incredible, but today
in Bethlehem a Savior has been born, and he is the Christ,
the One you've all been waiting for!!!
I know it's hard to believe, but listen, here is a sign for you:
You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger."
And with that , the angel whooshed up right over their heads.
Suddenly, a whole bunch of them appeared,
swirling in gorgeous golden lights, praising God and singing:
"Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of good will."
And then, just like that . . . they disappeared.
Now, you can picture the shepherd's faces,
looking up and then looking at each other, saying;
"What was that? Did you see what I saw?
Did you hear what she said? Do you think it could be true?"
And with that, a few of them decided to go and find out,
since the small town of Bethlehem was just over the hill.
They were filled with excitement and took nothing with them
except for one little lamb, a gift for this baby, should they find him.
And they did find him, just like the angel said,
wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
They entered the humble stable and gave the parents their little lamb,
telling them how the angel came to them in the fields that night.
They told Mary and Joseph that the angel called their Child the Savior, the Christ.
And they stood there together, on that quiet starry night,
looking in wonder at a sleeping Babe
who would change the world forever.
Joanne Cucinello © 2001
